Respect The Mouse - Pikachu

[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 5 onwards

**Price Range**: 1-2 points

**Overview**: Pika Pika! The mascot of the series is sometimes overlooked within competitive play due to having terrible defenses and only an average speed stat of 90, but when paired with his signature Light Ball item, he turns into one of the hardest hitting Pokémon in the game on either the physical or special side. With his signature Volt Tackle and a wide array of coverage moves, Pikachu serves well as a potent low point Pokémon, that, despite his overall fragility, can easily overwhelm an unprepared opponent and must always be respected.

[strategy comments]


Common Roles
========
**Wallbreaker**: When paired with Light Ball, Pikachu's attack and special attack can be boosted to absurd levels that can threaten even the bulkiest of mons. A STAB Volt Tackle is among one of the most powerful moves in the game and can do a significant amount of damage even when resisted, and paired with a vast amount of coverage moves, Pika can be tailored to put a hole in any opposing team. Light Ball is the required item needed for the set (and is the required item for every common set).

**Revenge Killer**: Pikachu's high attack and special attack allow him to revenge kill on any mon below 90 speed, and can also take out faster mons with priority moves in Fake Out, Quick Attack, and Feint.

**Setup sweeper**: With access to Agility and Nasty Plot (as well as Trailblaze to a lesser extent), Pikachu can setup on an unsuspecting opponent and sweep a weakened team with its STAB and wide array or support moves that allow for high level of coverage regardless of opponent.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Volt Tackle, Volt Switch, Thunderbolt, Thunder

**Setup Moves**: Nasty Plot, Agility, Charge

**Utility Moves**: Encore, Light Screen, Reflect, Nuzzle, Thunder Wave Wish, Charm, Endure, Fake Tears, Sweet Kiss, Rain Dance, Substitute

**Coverage**: Knock Off, Alluring Voice, Play Rough, Grass Knot, Trailblaze, Brick Break, Surf, Body Slam, Quick Attack, Iron Tail, Tera Blast

Niche Moves
========
**Fake Out**: Fake Out may be known as more of a doubles move but Pikachu can make good use of it in singles by pairing it with Quick Attack, which can surprise and even knock out frailer or weakened mons. It also can provide a mini stall tactic for weather, Tailwind, or Trick Room teams.

**Feint*: Feint may be weaker by 10 damage points compared to Quick Attack, but can still be paired with Fake Out for the purpose listed above and also has the added benefit of being +2 priority, which allows him to out-speed an opponent's priority move (particularly Sucker Punch).

**Endeavor**: Though Light Ball is generally Pikachu's preferred item, a FEAR set can also be a surprise option with Focus Sash, Endeavor, and Feint. Even if an opponent doesn't actually attack on the turn when you are using the move, Pikachu's HP stat is so low that it will still take a significant amount of HP.

**Fly**: The former event move is usually not a viable option due to the 2 turn nature, but it is Pikachu’s only move to hit grass types super-effectively without Terastalizing.

**Dig**: Pikachu’s only ground move, similarly to Fly, is not usually viable but can be used to hit opposing electric types in a pinch.

**Upper Hand**: If you have an opponent with a particular mon who makes use of a powerful priority move, Pikachu can use Upper Hand as a surprise tool to cut off a potential priority sweep (and particularly can take out a dark-type Sucker Punch user).

**Present**: Yes, Pikachu actually gets this move, and though not generally recommended, it can be used to try for RNG shenanigans.

Common Items
========
**Light Ball**: Pikachu's signature item; the item doubles Pika's attack and special attack stats, turning him into a dangerous wallbreaker on either the physical or special side. Save for the niche items on occasion, Light Ball is the only item that should ever be considered for Pikachu.


Niche Items
========
**Focus Sash**: Pikachu can run a FEAR set with Focus Sash, Endeavor, and Feint, which can either stop a potential sweeper or Choice Scarf mon, or, when combined with hazards, can wipe up an unprepared team.

**Eviolite*: Pikachu's defenses are usually terrible, but Eviolite can provide Pikachu with some bulk and allow for the use of Pika's support moves (particularly Nuzzle/Thunder Wave and Wish).

Tera
========
Pikachu doesn't necessarily need Tera to function, but should absolutely garner consider as a low point secondary Tera Captain as it allows Pika to operate with a second STAB and either threaten mons that resist electric moves or provide for more power for priority revenge killing. Pika's best Tera types are normal (to allow for STAB Fake Out and Quick Attack on revenge killing sets), Fairy (to get STAB Alluring Voice and Play Rough to hit Dragons), Water (to get STAB Surf to best hit ground types), Grass (for STAB Grass Knot and Trailblaze for ground types) and Ice (Ice Tera Blast hits the Grass, Ground, and Dragon Types that normally resist or are immune to electric).

Draft Strategy
========
Pikachu is best suited as for teams that need immediate and versatile power, often to either allow a different team member to set up and sweep or to pick off weakened teams via priority as an endgame strategy. Pika fits best on hyper-offense teams that, like him, prioritize power over defense, and should usually be drafted after the team’s initial core or 3 or 4 mons are set.

**Water/Ice types**: As Pikachu’s main weaknesses are Ground, Dragon and Grass types, it is preferential to draft a mon that can handle those types. Iron Bundle gets a special mention for being a high speed attacker who can handle every one of those types with STAB attacks and also appreciates the physical Pika sets to handle more special defense oriented mons.

**Additional Fast Wallbreakers/Primary Setup Sweepers**: Pikachu is well suited to pair with an additional early round hitter who can either damage a team enough for Pikachu to clean up or can set up a sweep off of Pikachu crippling one of the defensive threats. Ogerpon-Teal and Wellspring get special mentions for being a Tera Captain that can cover Pika’s ground type weakness, as well as Garchomp due to also having the ability to provide chip damage via entry hazards and Rough Skin.

**Bulky Pivots**: Pikachu can find it tough to switch in on given his low defenses, so slower pivots can allow for him to enter the battle with less damage and get a free hit. Corviknight and Uxie get a special mentions due to having a ground immunity (and the former especially for having resistances to grass and dragon).

**Screen Setters** Similar to the bulky pivots, screens allow Pika to switch into a battle with a screen defense boost. Corviknight and Uxie similarly work well for the role due to also being able to pivot over to him.




Checks and Counters
========
**Ground Types**: Ground types are the standard to handling electric types, and despite Pika’s water and grass coverage moves, they are still a huge threat, Any ground type that either outspeeds Pikachu or can tank a Surf or Grass Knot is almost guaranteed a KO.

**Bulky Electric Resistant Types**: Though Pikachu does have the coverage moves to hit hard regardless of type, any Pokémon with good defenses and holds a resistance to Pika’s main STAB poses a threat. Grass types in particular are effective for this due to Pika’s (usual) inability to hit them super-effectively, but opposing bulky electric types and dragon types can also be good options (though the latter will need to watch out for Play Rough and Alluring Voice).

**Fast Ghost types**: Ghost types can’t switch into Knock Off, but any Ghost type above 90 speed presents a unique threat to Pikachu by being immune to all of his priority moves and can easily knock him out with a STAB.

**Priority moves**: Though most priority moves are low power, Pikachu’s low defenses mean that any hard hitting Pokémon with access to a priority move can either pick off a weakened Pikachu or even take him out at full health with a damage boosting item.

**Knock Off/Trick**: Light Ball is usually Pikachu’s main item and losing it cripples him for the rest of the match. Even if Knock Off doesn't eliminate him, the loss of power greatly diminishes Pika’s ability to make an impact on the battle. Trick will also be effective in this role, minus being able to inflict damage on Pikachu.

**Hazards**: As Heavy Duty Boots isn’t a viable item for Pikachu, hazards can quickly whittle down Pikachu’s HP and can severely limit his ability to switch in and out of the battle, as well as diminish the amount of Volt Tackles he can use due to the recoil damage.

**Choice Scarf/Revenge Killers**: As Pikachu’s base speed is only 90, a Pokémon with a speed higher than that or a slower mon with a choice scarf can either eliminate Pikachu upon entering the battle or force the Pika to switch out and lose momentum.


[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pikachurtm.677889/
Quality checked by:
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[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 57 or 8 onwards

**Price Range**: 1-2 points

**Overview**: Pika Pika! The mascot of the series is sometimes usually or almost always overlooked within competitive play due to having terrible defenses and only an average speed stat of 90, but when paired with his its signature Light Ball item, he it turns into one of the hardest hitting Pokémon in the game on either the physical or special side it's strong, sure, but it is far from strongest in the game if you consider pokemon like Iron Hands or Iron Moth are almost equivalent without using their item slot. With his its signature Volt Tackle and a wide array of coverage moves, Pikachu serves well as a potent low point Pokémon, that, despite his overall fragility, can easily overwhelm an unprepared opponent and must always be respected. I think you want to be a little more realistic and less overly positive in general - Pikachu can deal a lot of damage, but it is the ultimate glass cannon that requires significant support to do anything while likely being the cheapest mon on the roster. It fills a specific niche as an electric immune but can be countered with minimal prep that is already forced by other Pokemon, most commonly being Choice Scarf users, naturally faster pokemon, and STAB priority.

[strategy comments]


Common Roles
========
**Wallbreaker**: When paired with Light Ball, Pikachu's attack and special attack can be are boosted to absurd levels that can threaten even the bulkiest of mons. A STAB Volt Tackle is among one of the most powerful moves in the game and can do a significant amount of damage even when resisted, and paired with a vast amount of coverage moves I disagree, Pikachu can't 2HKO a 0 defensive investment Rillaboom, Pika can be tailored to put a hole in any slow, electric weak opposing teams. Light Ball is the required item needed for the set (and is the required item for every common set). redundant with the first sentence mentioning Light Ball.

**Revenge Killer**: Pikachu's high attack and special attack allow him to revenge kill on any mon below 90 speed, and can also take out significantly weakened faster mons with priority moves in Fake Out, Quick Attack, and Feint. How does this set differ from Wallbreaker? I feel like this could just be another sentence on the first role.

**Setup sweeper**: With access to Agility and Nasty Plot (as well as Trailblaze to a lesser extent), Pikachu can setup on an unsuspecting opponent and sweep a weakened team with its STAB and wide array or support moves that allow for high level of coverage regardless of opponent. I'll be honest, I don't think I've ever seen a Pikachu use a turn to set up. The options can be listed in niche moves or something, but imo there's no way this is a common role for maybe the frailest Pokemon in SV outside of very specific passive opponents.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Volt Tackle, Volt Switch, Thunderbolt, Thunder

**Setup Moves**: Nasty Plot, Agility, Charge
Charge isn't viable, other two are Niche at best

**Utility Moves**: Encore, Light Screen, Reflect, Nuzzle, Thunder Wave Wish, Charm, Endure, Fake Tears, Sweet Kiss, Rain Dance, Substitute
Thunder Wave is completely outclassed by Nuzzle, Wish / Charm / Fake Tears should never realistically be used, Rain Dance and Sweet Kiss are subjective, Endure is better placed in Niche with Endeavor

**Coverage**: Knock Off, Alluring Voice, Play Rough, Grass Knot, Trailblaze, Brick Break, Surf, Body Slam, Quick Attack, Iron Tail, Tera Blast
Move Quick Attack to Niche with Fake Out & Feint, make sure it's clearly stated that this is the only way Pikachu can damage faster opponents.

Niche Moves
========
**Fake Out**: Fake Out may be known as more of a doubles move but Pikachu can make good use of it in singles by pairing it with Quick Attack, which can surprise and even knock out frailer or weakened mons. It also can provide a mini stall tactic for weather, Tailwind, or Trick Room teams.

**Feint*: Feint may be weaker by 10 damage points compared to Quick Attack, but can still be paired with Fake Out for the purpose listed above and also has the added benefit of being +2 priority, which allows him to out-speed an opponent's priority move (particularly Sucker Punch). I would probably lump this, Fake Out, and Quick Attack together as they're all used for similar reasons, but be realistic about the power. Fake Out + Quick Attack costs 2 moveslots and even combined, they are never KOing anything from full.

**Endeavor**: Though Light Ball is generally Pikachu's preferred item, a FEAR set can also be a surprise option with Focus Sash, Endeavor, and Feint. Even if an opponent doesn't actually attack on the turn when you are using the move, Pikachu's HP stat is so low that it will still take a significant amount of HP. Note that Endeavor can also be combined with Endure or Reversal to give Pikachu strong options into slow teams that lack priority options.

**Fly**: The former event move is usually not a viable option due to the 2 turn nature, but it is Pikachu’s only move to hit grass types super-effectively without Terastalizing. Pikachu is too item-dependent to even consider this or Dig imo

**Dig**: Pikachu’s only ground move, similarly to Fly, is not usually viable but can be used to hit opposing electric types in a pinch.

**Upper Hand**: If you have an opponent with a particular mon who makes use of a powerful priority move, Pikachu can use Upper Hand as a surprise tool to cut off a potential priority sweep (and particularly can take out a dark-type Sucker Punch user). Upper Hand is a decent option to force slower Sucker Punch users to fail to attack at all since Pikachu can't usually take a single hit, but it will not be KOing any dark-types at full health, even most Bisharp and Kingambit, as it is still a 65 BP non-STAB move.

**Present**: Yes, Pikachu actually gets this move, and though not generally recommended, it can be used to try for RNG shenanigans.

**Nasty Plot / Agility**: (Feel free to reword) Against very passive opponents like Toxapex and Alomomola, Pikachu may be able to boost its Speed or Special Attack to further threaten the opponent's team without getting immediately KOed like it would against most other opponents.

Common Items
========
**Light Ball**: Pikachu's signature item; the item doubles Pika's attack and special attack stats, turning him into a dangerous wallbreaker on either the physical or special side. Save for the niche items on occasion, Light Ball is the only item that should ever be considered for Pikachu.

Niche Items
========
**Focus Sash**: Pikachu can run a FEAR set with Focus Sash, Endeavor, and Feint, which can either stop a potential sweeper or Choice Scarf mon, or, when combined with hazards, can wipe up an unprepared team. Instead of FEAR, this is a one-time tactic to take down a faster opponent and then Endeavor something else later, but all this is assuming there are no entry hazards, opponent has no priority, AND that this set is better than a standard Pikachu or a different teammate.

**Eviolite*: Pikachu's defenses are usually terrible, but Eviolite can provide Pikachu with some bulk and allow for the use of Pika's support moves (particularly Nuzzle/Thunder Wave and Wish). I think this is pure theorymons, Eviolite may let Pikachu take 1 hit but then it becomes a passive support with no way to actually threaten the opponent that can be fully taken advantage of once the opponent learns the set.

Tera
========
Pikachu doesn't necessarily need Tera to function, but should absolutely garner consideration as a low point secondary Tera Captain as it allows Pika to operate with a second STAB and either threaten mons that resist electric moves or provide for more power for priority revenge killing. Pika's best Tera types are normal (to allow for STAB Fake Out and Quick Attack on revenge killing sets), Fairy (to get STAB Alluring Voice and Play Rough to hit Dragons), Water (to get STAB Surf to best hit ground types), Grass (for STAB Grass Knot and Trailblaze for ground types) and Ice (Ice Tera Blast hits the Grass, Ground, and Dragon Types that normally resist or are immune to electric). I think this needs some rewording. Pikachu is a usable option if the other Tera Captain is Top Tier and if no other low tiers on the team would appreciate it more. Tera Electric is absolutely worth mentioning to make its STAB even stronger. Granting STAB to existing coverage is only relevant if the 10-point damage difference is meaningful, otherwise types that Pikachu normally doesn't have access to (Ice specifically) are likely always better. Tera Ghost could be mentioned to help Pikachu avoid Priority. Normal just isn't strong enough; even with Tera, Pikachu isn't KOing anything with Fake Out and Quick Attack, it would only be relevant if it kept Extreme Speed.

Draft Strategy
========
Pikachu is best suited as for teams that need immediate and versatile power, often to either allow a different team member to set up and sweep or to pick off weakened teams via priority as an endgame strategy. Pika fits best on hyper-offense teams that, like him, prioritize power over defense, and should usually be drafted after the team’s initial core or 3 or 4 mons are set. I think Pikachu is best suited to teams that are already fully functional without it and instead of a more passive or limited 1-point teammate, choose Pikachu to offer Electric-type offense against opponents that don't expect it to be brought, especially if the user's team doesn't have good Electric coverage otherwise.

**Water/Ice types**: As Pikachu’s main weaknesses are Ground, Dragon and Grass types, it is preferential to draft a mon that can handle those types. Iron Bundle gets a special mention for being a high speed attacker who can handle every one of those types with STAB attacks and also appreciates the physical Pika sets to handle more special defense oriented mons.

**Additional Fast Wallbreakers/Primary Setup Sweepers**: Pikachu is well suited to pair with an additional early round hitter who can either damage a team enough for Pikachu to clean up or can set up a sweep off of Pikachu crippling one of the defensive threats. Ogerpon-Teal and Wellspring get special mentions for being a Tera Captain that can cover Pika’s ground type weakness, as well as Garchomp due to also having the ability to provide chip damage via entry hazards and Rough Skin.

**Bulky Pivots**: Pikachu can find it tough to switch in on given his low defenses, so slower pivots can allow for him to enter the battle with less damage and get a free hit. Corviknight and Uxie get a special mentions due to having a ground immunity (and the former especially for having resistances to grass and dragon).

**Screen Setters** Similar to the bulky pivots, screens allow Pika to switch into a battle with a screen defense boost. Corviknight and Uxie similarly work well for the role due to also being able to pivot over to him. TIL Corviknight gets screens. Anyway, Pikachu isn't wanting to take hits even with screens support and pokemon that are more set up dependent would appreciate having the added defense far more. Would also recommend using different examples where you can.

**Entry Hazard Setters**: (Feel free to reword) Pikachu appreciates entry hazards chipping its opponent's health to help it net KOs as well as Sticky Web either slowing foes that are typically faster than it or forcing them to run Heavy-Duty Boots over better items.


Checks and Counters
========
**Any attack that deals damage**: (Free free to rework, partially a joke but honestly true) Pikachu has one of the worst defensive profiles of any usable pokemon in SV, so it can rarely take more than one unboosted hit from nearly any opponent; Strong STAB or boosted attacks will almost always KO it. This may not even be a necessary line since the other two cover the same idea decently.

**Any opponent that lives a hit**: (Similar to above, partially a joke but honestly true) Could honestly clump 'Ground Types' and 'Bulky...Types' here noting that if Pikachu fails to KO its foes, as it typically does with non-weakened opponents who are not weak to Electric-type moves, it will almost surely be KOed in return. It specifically struggles with types that resist or are immune to its Electric STAB. #2

**Faster Opponents**: (Again, could lump 'Fast Ghosts', 'Priority', 'Choice Scarf/Revenge' all in one) As Pikachu offers no offensive presence without Light Ball and its non-STAB priority cannot consistently pick up KOs, any Pokemon set to outrun Pikachu's faster teammates will also outrun and likely KO it. #3

**Ground Types**: Ground types are the standard to handling electric types, and despite Pika’s water and grass coverage moves, they are still a huge threat, Any ground type that either outspeeds Pikachu or can tank a Surf or Grass Knot is almost guaranteed a KO. See #2

**Bulky Electric Resistant Types**: Though Pikachu does have the coverage moves to hit hard regardless of type, any Pokémon with good defenses and holds a resistance to Pika’s main STAB poses a threat. Grass types in particular are effective for this due to Pika’s (usual) inability to hit them super-effectively, but opposing bulky electric types and dragon types can also be good options (though the latter will need to watch out for Play Rough and Alluring Voice). See #2

**Fast Ghost types**: Ghost types can’t switch into Knock Off, but any Ghost type above 90 speed presents a unique threat to Pikachu by being immune to all of his priority moves and can easily knock him out with a STAB. See #3

**Priority moves**: Though most priority moves are low power, Pikachu’s low defenses mean that any hard hitting Pokémon with access to a priority move can either pick off a weakened Pikachu or even take him out at full health with a damage boosting item. See #3

**Knock Off/Trick**: Light Ball is usually Pikachu’s main item and losing it cripples him for the rest of the match. Even if Knock Off doesn't eliminate him, the loss of power greatly diminishes Pika’s ability to make an impact on the battle. Trick will also be effective in this role, minus being able to inflict damage on Pikachu. Knock Off crippling Pikachu by removing its Light Ball is less likely than Knock Off crippling Pikachu by KOing it.

**Hazards**: As Heavy Duty Boots isn’t a viable item for Pikachu, hazards can quickly whittle down Pikachu’s HP and can severely limit his ability to switch in and out of the battle, as well as diminish the amount of Volt Tackles he can use due to the recoil damage. True, but likely less relevant than all the other issues Pikachu has.

**Choice Scarf/Revenge Killers**: As Pikachu’s base speed is only 90, a Pokémon with a speed higher than that or a slower mon with a choice scarf can either eliminate Pikachu upon entering the battle or force the Pika to switch out and lose momentum. See #3


[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pikachurtm.677889/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user2.200000
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.300000
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.400000
Hey friend, this is an AMQC so it will not go to 1/2 after edits, I'm just providing some feedback that will (hopefully) help you and the QC staff in the future. In general, I think Pikachu is the type of Pokemon that needs a nice, concise summary with the few types of teams it fits on, noting its strengths as a budget Electric but making sure you're also always mentioning its drawbacks. It is 1-2 points for a reason, after all.

Also, I'm not GP, but 'mons' is not an accepted term; you'll want to find and replace those with other terms like Pokemon, Foes, etc. Same with 'Pika'. Any jokes aside, I believe Pikachu's pronoun should be 'it', not 'he'.
 
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